Home / Lifestyle / Yard Invasion: Flamingos Fundraise for Service Dogs
Yard Invasion: Flamingos Fundraise for Service Dogs
14 May
Summary
- Plastic flamingos are secretly planted on lawns.
- The fundraiser supports Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
- The initiative began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents in North Bay are now seeing a whimsical sight on their lawns: plastic flamingos secretly planted as part of a charitable initiative. The "North Bay's You've Been Flocked for a Cause" fundraiser aims to generate donations for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Business owner Melanie Pigeau spearheads this effort, where people pay to surprise friends and family with a lawn full of flamingos.
This unique fundraiser, which runs from May 20 to June 3, allows recipients to discover who "flocked" them or to pass the flamingos along. Pigeau, who owns Melanie's Lawn Friends, typically installs the flamingos in the early morning hours, ensuring the surprise element. The idea emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as a creative way to support charities facing event cancellations.
The funds raised contribute to training and providing various service dogs, including those for visually impaired individuals, hearing assistance, and autism support. Each dog partnership costs approximately $35,000 to facilitate. Maria Galindo from the Lions Foundation expressed gratitude for community support, noting the significant impact of these Dog Guides.
Recently, a new support dog named Moka joined Victim Services of Nipissing District, filling the role of a retired trauma support dog. This underscores the ongoing need and the tangible difference these trained animals make in assisting individuals and vulnerable populations.
